Foster: Spring reflections, hope for our community

The last few days are some of my favorite moments of the year. The greening of the landscape combined with the blossoms of flowers and trees is like a living canvas that slightly changes every day. I usually try to drive down some hidden road and expectantly take in the views across hilltops that almost take your breath away.

I am often in this season reminded of my mother, who loved gardening. We grew up in rural Virginia and it was not quite as sophisticated as consumerism is now. My brother and I would often be towed along as she would go down a back road or dirt lane someone told her about and dig up dogwoods and redbud trees to plant in the yard. We would be so amused by her antics then because she would wait until it was certain to rain and we would go on our "nature missions." Often the rain would catch her and she would be on her knees digging and arranging the trees and flowers in freshly dug holes, expectantly waiting for them to root and grow.

Eventually our yard grew into a forest of splendor and bloom and we understood better her motivation. My kids have asked how I know the names of as many trees and plants as I do, and I eagerly relay a story from my mom's loving example. So the dogwood blooms give me an extra reason to smile at her memory.

I was secretly hoping that along with new life and spring breezes that the winter of our discontent would also take a different turn on the local and national scene as well, but alas, it is not to be. I truly want to see a shift in seasons in our polarized society.

Sometimes I try to take in the information from the various perspectives before I make assumptions or attempt to draw any conclusions. It doesn't always work as smoothly as I would hope.

I waited to watch the most recent video of a shooting in North Charleston, South Carolina, and I have to admit my immediate reaction was one of surprise but not disbelief. Incidents like this seems to be so numerous that it is almost a blur of getting the name and the basic scenario and then try to file it somewhat in the memory along with similar cases. The news cycle almost creates an environment in which you watch and listen as long as it is in the national spotlight, only to be replaced by the next story that grabs the spotlight.

On the local front, the recent elections offer fresh insight into our local fears and posturing as well. It reminded me in some ways of the fairly recent E-verify uproar and the debate around that. In Indiana a state law created a national backlash that threatened travel boycotts and convention and corporations wanting to leave the state. We can interpret and frighten and get lost in worst-case scenarios, but it is simple for me: Let us love our neighbors — every race, religion, sexual preference, age, ability, ethnicity, language and anything else you want to throw in. The response in Indiana was an obvious one as many businesses displayed signs that stated "We welcome all!" That solves it for me and we reinforce it in our actions, laws and ordinances.

As I look at the beauty around me today, I am thinking of my precious mother and hoping we can see the same beauty in the human creation as well — each one of us.

Lyle Foster is part of the Commercial Street Merchants Association and active in several local organizations.